No on Playa experience but as long as your don't open the fluid system you shouldn't have any problems.

The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair.

Coat wrote:Very polar insights... I like it. Mrpatatomoto would you suggest using brake cleaner out there? I could trust the dust for the week.

Think about it this way, most of the art cars our there use hydraulic brakes and they don't have any issues. I would suggest not bringing an expensive bike though, they grow legs and walk away sometimes.

The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair.

Since you won't be careening down any steep hills on the playa, the braking power you'll need is minimal...unless you plan on accelerating to speeds in excess of 15 mph. Simple pads on rims work just fine.. Discs are OK, and if it's an old cheap setup you won't care if they get scored.

Don't bore your friends with all your troubles. Tell your enemies instead, for they will delight in hearing about them.

Do not use brake cleaner. Most brake cleaner is spray kind. It would be next to impossible for the chemicals not to touch the ground. If you did over a tarp it could protect the ground from being damaged. Now comes reason behind brake cleaner, There is not a good one. Anything that is clean will instantly become covered in dust. Wait till you get home to thoroughly clean your bike. Think cheap or easy to maintain.

You will have no problem with hydraulic brakes. I am assuming these are discs and not the old type of Magura? Regardless, they will be fine. You can get cable actuated discs for cheap. These are what you find on walmart or kmart bikes.